Chapter 2

2

Before that day, I didn't know Chloe.

Josh was two years ahead of me in school. We were in the same city but went to different colleges.

I had never heard of him liking any girl.

Let alone having a girlfriend.

Josh gave me a wedding night I'll never forget.

He accused me of drugging him that night.

He raged that I had planned everything, that it was all intentional:

"Ashley, your malice is chilling.

"Your love is disgusting.

"You wanted to be with me so badly, so I granted your wish!

"You ruined my happiness, and you'll never find happiness in your life either!"

He slammed the door and began a decade of icy hatred towards me.

I slapped my cheeks hard, took a deep breath, and went upstairs.

"Ashley, back so soon? Is Josh okay?"

Hearing my mom's voice and seeing my dad reading in the living room, my eyes welled up.

It's so good.

It's the scene I missed the most.

After marrying Josh, I didn't dare go home for years.

"Ashley?"

I mumbled, "Yeah, he's fine."

He really was fine.

On my way back, I called an ambulance for him.

Let the doctors find out if there were any drugs, and what kind.

"Ashley, come here. What does this line say? Help Dad take a look."

Suppressing the unease in my heart, I pretended nothing was wrong, went over, and chatted with my parents for a long time before returning to my room.

As soon as I entered, I saw photos of Josh and me covering my desk, from childhood to now.

I opened the drawer; my diary was still there, untouched.

I remembered Josh reading my love for him aloud, word by word, right in front of me.

Then tearing the pages one by one.

My girlish secrets scattered everywhere, him sitting at this desk, his face mocking and disgusted:

"You wanted to possess me when you were ten.

"Ashley, you're a freak.

"Well, those things, only a freak could do them, right?"